Editorial for 6 May: Brac paving looks suspicious

We’re not sure that proverb can adequately describe what has been going on in Cayman Brac, where roads – as well as carparks – are being paved with scarce government resources.

It’s not that we think Cayman Brac shouldn’t receive government resources; it is a part of this country just like Grand Cayman and Little Cayman and should not be neglected.

However, when the Ministry of District Administration decides in these times of austerity, when construction on two much-needed high schools on Grand Cayman has virtually stopped because of lack of funds, to pave roads and roundabouts to a site that is used once a year, we really have to wonder about its intentions.

Perhaps if it were just a matter of deciding to pave little-used government roads we wouldn’t question the motives; but it’s not just roads that are being paved.

In recent months the carparks of churches, supermarkets, a gasoline station, a fireworks store and even a rum shop have also all been paved.

People in Cayman Brac say the government’s equipment is being used to pave the roads, as well as the driveways and carparks.

We can’t say that is what is happening for sure, or if so, that the government isn’t charging these people for the service, mainly because the government hasn’t responded to our inquiries about the matter.

In the absence of a good explanation from the government, people are drawing their own conclusions, and they aren’t seeing many “good intentions” in this case. Instead, the select paving of certain private properties has led to allegations of political patronage.

Many residents of the Cayman Islands are already talking privately about what is happening on the Brac, and the story is making its way to the blogs and talk shows. Yet the Ministry of District Administration, which is in charge of the paving operations on the Brac, remains silent, making everyone believe the worst.